The BEST Rigging Advice You’ll Ever Receive:

The best advice we can possibly give you when it comes to rigging is safety first – ALWAYS!

The complicated system of ropes, cables, and/or chains involved in the rigging process can cause serious problems if you’re not being cautious enough and not following proper practices.

More Rigging Advice:

Have a well thought out plan

Obviously, before you begin a job, you’ll need to have a plan that a competent and trained person can evaluate and approve.  If you are unsure or have questions, stop and ask.

Know what you are lifting

Before you begin, you’ll need to know the load weight and/or size. Don’t know what they are for sure? Weight them yourself or perform your best estimate.

Know where you are lifting

Be mindful of the entire work area. Look for sharp edges that can harm rigging, overhead dangers such as power lines, trees, buildings, etc. and ALWAYS be mindful of where your fellow riggers are. It’s also very important to note that the surface should be level and firm enough to support the crane and load.

Once you know all of the above, here are some other steps you’ll need to take:

  • Locate or estimate the location of the load’s Center of Gravity (CG)
  • Determine the load-share on each side of C/G.
  • Calculate the tension in each sling-leg.
  • As a minimum, select slings with capacity to match the sling-leg tension and hardware to match the vertical capacity of the slings.
  • Inspect the rigging per ASME B30.9 and 29 CFR 1910.184.
  • Ensure the hitches you have selected provide excellent control so slipping does not occur.

Even MORE Advice for Riggers:

OSHA notes that all riggers must be:

  • Properly trained on the hazards associated with rigging
  • Qualified and able to comply with all procedures
  • Aware of where the crane is operating
  • Very familiar with rigging techniques and equipment
  • Able to anticipate issues before they happen
  • Able to stop a job immediately if unsafe conditions exist
  • Aware of the weight of the load and the capacities of the crane and any rigging gear

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